Poland announced another, 47th military aid package for Ukraine. The value of the fresh tranche is expected to be around EUR 200 million and its deliveries are expected to start in the coming months. The information was provided by Piotr Łukasiewicz, chargé d’affaires RP in Ukraine, in an interview with European Pravda.
Although this motion fits into the current line of support for a struggling neighbor, more and more questions arise in public and political space: does Ukraine truly reciprocate this assistance? And should Poland not yet set conditions?
Poland gives the most. And the quietest
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Poland has been at the forefront of the countries supporting Ukraine. According to the data provided by Łukasiewicz, the full value of military aid from Poland is already around EUR 4.5 billion. This includes:
- 318 tanks,
- 536 combat vehicles,
- 136 artillery systems,
- 10 aircraft,
- 10 helicopters,
- and immense amounts of ammunition, fuel and spare parts.
Polish Haubice Crabs and Tanks played an crucial function in the defensive and offensive actions of the Ukrainian army. Meanwhile, authoritative thanks or real gestures of reciprocity from Kiev are, to put it mildly, reserved.
Another aid – despite silence in historical matters
Łukasiewicz confirmed that the fresh package, worth EUR 200 million, would be delivered in the coming months. The earlier 46th package included ammunition, electronic systems and spare parts worth € 230 million.
Although the aid flows continuously, many people – both among citizens and in expert groups – begin to see a deficiency of advancement on the Ukrainian side on key issues for Poland, especially those concerning historical memory and respect for victims.
The best (and painful) example is the issue of exhumation in Puźniki – a place where Ukrainian nationalists murdered respective twelve Poles, mainly women and children in February 1945. Despite the efforts of the Polish side, despite the historical documentation and the will of the families of the victims, the exhumation process in Puźniki encountered many years of delays, bureaucratic obstacles and the silence of local authorities. Only in 2023 – and after strong force from Warsaw – did the first exhumation begin. It's a symbolic gesture, but only 1 location on dozens of crime scenes. advancement is illusory.
On the another side of the border, however, there are things that are hard to accept as gestures of goodwill. In the monastery, in the territory of Poland, there is simply a renewed monument commemorating members of UPA. It was reconstructed even though it had previously functioned as illegal. Despite controversy, although UPA was liable for crimes against the Polish civilian population, the Ukrainian side demanded its restoration and local authorities surrendered to pressure. This raises questions about balance in relations: whose symbols are recognized and whose symbols are inactive underground?
MiG-and for Ukraine? Yeah, but not again without conditions?
In the same interview, Łukasiewicz pointed out that further transfer of russian MiG-29 fighters was possible. Appropriate talks are ongoing, and Poland does not, as can be inferred, regulation out the further donation of equipment from its own stocks.
In the context of the deficiency of answers to Polish historical demands, however, the question arises: are the further gestures of Warsaw not unilateral? Should we, like another countries, formulate circumstantial expectations for our partner?
The support of Ukraine military, humanitarian and political has no uncertainty its strategical sense – Ukraine is fighting not only for itself but besides for the safety of the region. However, with each subsequent tranche of support it is increasingly clear that Polish-Ukrainian relations do not make in the spirit of reciprocity.
Ukrainian historical communicative continues to glorify the characters and organizations liable for crimes against the Polish population, and Polish demands for exhumation and commemoration are marginalized or dragged over time. It is hard not to announcement that in symbolic matters Ukraine is much more firm than in the case of receiving billions of euros of aid.
In the context of rising war costs, budget overload and expanding public fatigue, more and more votes request a more pragmatic approach. Help, yes. But not at all costs and not without reciprocity. Many commentators indicate that Poland has the full right to anticipate concrete gestures: designation of historical truth, consent to all planned exhumations, withdrawal from attempts to put controversial monuments on our territory.
As the critics of the current policy note, if Poland does not usage its tremendous commitment to enforce these issues now that Ukraine needs support, then when?
Officially, Warsaw does not intend to change course. He's inactive sending weapons, ammunition and equipment. The fresh package of EUR 200 million is further evidence of consequences. But you can't ignore more and more questions about the balance of profits and losses of this relationship. Solidarity in the face of war is crucial – it is obvious. But solidarity cannot be an eternal credit for trust, especially if the another side does not pay even interest.
